Starting XI
A starting XI that in essence picked itself, with just the three changes from the side that started the gruelling 120 minutes in Istanbul, but all three necessary and somewhat expected. Joe Gomez has played a lot of football early on and is given a break, with Trent Alexander-Arnold reinstated at right back. A midfield three focused on fresh legs with Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and a return for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made his first Premier League start since April 2018. He struggled at left wing on Wednesday night, and it was no surprise to see him start in a more preferred central role today. No surprises up front either, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all starting together for the first time since that brilliant night in Madrid. Adrian kept his place in goal, despite his swollen ankle, and 39-year-old Andy Lonergan made the bench with Caoimin Kelleher not yet fully recovered from his wrist injury.
First Half
The Reds started brightly for a group of players that had barely been back in the country 24 hours. Most notable was Oxlade-Chamberlain. It was clear from the outset he was the midfielder given license to break forward and support the front three, and he relished the opportunity. He seemed isolated on Wednesday night, and cut a frustrated figure for much of his 45 minutes on the pitch, but he looked a different player on Saturday. Got himself on the ball as much as possible, and he really does have the ability to cause defences problems when he drives forward in possession. He and Milner switched half way through the half, with The Ox moving to the left of the midfield three to keep the Southampton midfield guessing. The boss will have been pleased with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s his first half contribution, but not a lot else in truth. Mane’s stunning opener was the only true moment of class. The Reds lost control of the midfield when Milner went off for treatment on a head injury. That gave the hosts a much needed foot hold in the game. Liverpool were never allowed to get into any sort of rhythm, and even resulted in long balls being aimed towards Salah towards the end of the half. Three points were all that mattered on Saturday, and Klopp’s selection echoed that sentiment. But it was far from a convincing first half from the European Champions, who struggled to create much against Southamptons deep back five.
Second Half
It would be interesting to see what was said at half time, because the Reds looked a different animal when they came out for the second half. Chief amongst Klopp’s many attributes as a manager is how he can motivate a team, and that was evident again, with a much brighter second half performance, similar to the community shield game against Manchester City. Liverpool were awarded much more time on the ball in the second half, as the hosts predictably began to tire. This allowed Klopp’s side to find a rhythm, and a lovely interchange should’ve resulted in a second goal, with Firmino missing a great chance. He didn’t have wait long for another, and duly obliged this time. With the visitors now two in front, Klopp’s substitutions were going to be key. Fabinho was introduced in place of Milner on 74 minutes. It was a surprise that Klopp waited that long in truth, with the Liverpool midfield starting to look understandably leggy. But the Brazilian added real poise and gave the side an anchor to control the midfield from. Divock Origi replaced Salah with around 10 minutes to go, in the hope of stretching a tired Southampton defence on the break. Adrian’s howler to gift Danny Ings a goal and Southampton a lifeline had been coming in truth. The Spaniard had looked uncomfortable in possession all game. Klopp admitted afterwards that the ankle wasn’t 100% and the reds shouldn’t have looked to involve him in play as much. If this was something that was communicated to the side, then they never took it on board and it could’ve cost them. The last 10 minutes were a backs to the wall job, and had Ings converted a great chance, the hosts would’ve snatched an undeserved point.
Conclusion
Klopp picked a side that was almost forced upon him in truth, but it worked. The first half was nowhere near the level we’ve all become accustomed to, but it was understandable given the busy start to the season. The slight gamble may have been Oxlade-Chamberlain starting after a difficult 45 in midweek, but he was the visitors best player early on and is clearly more happy playing centrally than out wide.
Second half was about building on the lead, and securing the three points. But for Adrian channelling his inner Loris Karius and playing a simple clearance against an on rushing attacker, the result and final 10 minutes would’ve appeared much more comfortable. But you can’t help feel that situation could’ve been avoided, and perhaps when the Spaniard starts again, Klopp will have to compromise building play from the back and be a little more direct, at least until Alisson is back between the sticks.
